Obligatory Beach Pix Post

Base camp last weekend.

Got plenty sun and beach on Saturday.

Not so much for Sunday. The rest of the weekend washed out.

So I turned Janine loose on the Myrtle Beach Home Goods.

The rain did not dampen our plans to relax. Relax we did.

Apps This Week - Geek Fun

Yeah, this is thrown together, but I wanted to post a few apps that have given me occasional fits of joy.

Tricorder for Android on AppBrain

Tricorder of course is a vital tool aboard the Enterprise. On that note, I'll say no more. Klingons beware. It's free and it works..it really works.

Instant heart rate for Android on AppBrain

Instant Heart Monitor does just what it says it does. I place my finger over the camera lens and this app reminds me that I'm a tubby and I need to get back on the treadmill pronto. This like the tricorder serves little purpose other than keeping my geek cred strong.

The streets demand it.

Tolerance vs Respect

On this ninth anniversary of 9/11, we're reminded of both the good and the evil that still exists in our world. We remember the helpless panic watching the television during and after the attacks. We also remember the tremendous outreach and charity afterwards. We remember the families that live on today without loved ones. We remember heroes that bravely surrendered their lives to preserve life and comfort for strangers. In remembering the sacrifice, the sadness and the pain this date brings, we're reminded that we've once again forgotten one of the main virtues of living together in this human community. That virtue is respect.

I enjoy the definition of respect as it is given in its Wikipedia entry: Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem.

For some reason today, be it elitism or because we live in such a politically charged climate, we've replaced this virtue with intolerance and political correctness in the name of tolerance. We're told that certain behaviors and beliefs are wrong and in the name of this new tolerance we should then be intolerant to their beliefs. I don't think this can last. We are poisoned by the lack of respect for certain standpoints now in the spirit of tolerance.

In recent debates, I see the decline of man. I see the continuing lack of respect for thought that does not adhere to a progressive or conservative standard. Differences of opinion are a big part of human nature and it's wisdom that we all learn to appreciate and respect different points of view. The missing ingredient is to respect the person that would disagree with my stance and worldview. For me to hold my hands over my ears and call people that disagree with my opinions as intolerant does not advance us at all as a people. That makes me the intolerant one. What a dangerous double standard and practice.

Calling someone with a different standpoint intolerant completely throws the spirit of tolerant belief. While still reading my original article above, I ran across this sentiment from philosopher John Rawls, "While an intolerant sect does not itself have title to complain of intolerance, its freedom should be restricted only when the tolerant sincerely and with reason believe that their own security and that of the institutions of liberty are in danger." How quickly this is forgotten now.

Let's bring back respect. Let's bring back respectful discourse. Let's bring back tolerance in it's truest form by respecting those that do not see the world the same way that we do. It is fine to disagree even vehemently with a point of view. It is how we respond to disagreements that will save us or destroy us.

A more respectful people will not need to fear the fringe and radical elements outside of our own safety. A respectful society will not shine a spotlight of attention on them, but will focus on living and learning and growing together even if we disagree. Respect, respect, respect.

I cannot demand this, that is the root of intolerance, but I can ask this respectfully of everyone and that is the root of freedom. It's not pie in the sky, it all begins and ends with me.

Android Apps This Week - Unwinding

After a long week, sometimes our minds need to be calmed by the sounds of simulated relaxation. The sound of the ocean, a chirping bird, a babbling brook, or white noise can sometimes bring such serenity to us. I wanted to briefly share two apps that I use on my Android phone and even change things up by sharing one that I use on my iPod Touch.

Relax and Sleep for Android on AppBrain

Relax and Sleep has a variety of sounds, none of which are extremely high in quality, but this sound app brings something I think is a little bit original. To paraphrase AppBrain, I'm able to play a mix of sounds and adjust volumes to make my own ideal ambient melodies. I like to get creative and combine the piano with the train. If that doesn't warp my mind, nothing will.

Lightning Bug - Sleep Clock for Android on AppBrain

Lightning Bug is similar to Relax and Sleep in that I can make combinations of sounds, but this is a little more themed. I've always enjoyed that the sounds don't give the impression that they're in a loop. The randomness actually helps keep me from creating a pattern which defeats the purpose of these apps.

White Noise for Android on AppBrain

Lastly, White Noise, which is a paid app provides a very large library of sounds and I think the most seamless settings for sleep, timers, etc. This is the app that I have and use on my iPod Touch, I do not have this for Android, but out of all the apps, it's helped me the most get to sleep or settle my thoughts at bedtime.

Of course for me, the best sound of all is the sound of silence, but when a little noise helps, these apps always do the trick.

This Week in Mike's Phone

It was a week like any other week:

Made copies

Ran an important errand (at Regency Square)

Sat on the stairwell at work. Ok, I never do that..that was weird

Watched Earl go by this morning. Bye bye, Earl

Stayed two hours after work to help install anti virus software